The rise of retail crime
At Mitie, we wholeheartedly understand and support the recent concerns voiced by prominent retailers about the rise in retail crime. Organised crime groups targeting retailers are a growing concern, driven by various factors such as financial inequality, adaptability of criminal organisations to target retail businesses, and online platforms for stolen goods trading.?
The National Crime Agencies Strategic Assessment 2023 estimates that around 59,000 people are currently involved in serious and organised crime in the UK, generating approximately ￡12bn each year. Additionally, the cost-of-living crisis has contributed to a rise in shoplifting as individuals and families face mounting financial pressures.?
Our focus at Mitie always remains on the well-being and security of our dedicated frontline workers, who play a significant role in maintaining a safe retail environment.?
Managing retail crime?
We empathise with the frustrations arising from retail crime and recognise the physical and mental impact on retail staff and security colleagues. As industry leaders, we must champion an approach that encourages positive change. Our commitment, therefore, lies in collectively addressing challenges, bridging gaps, and becoming a catalyst for action.?
We share our colleagues at Co-op's sentiments, envisioning a more collaborative approach between law enforcement, retailers, offender support services/charities, and the security industry. By pooling resources, sharing data, and exchanging intelligence, we can create a resilient community against retail crime.?
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?Mitie takes pride in being at the forefront of driving change in this area. Our industry-leading intelligence technology, comprehensive solutions, and dedicated professional resources put us in a strong position to substantially impact retail crime. We continuously invest in training and mentorship for our frontline teams and maintain excellent relationships with law enforcement at both local and national levels.?
A united front?
To combat retail crime effectively, the security sector, retail industry, offender support services/charities and law enforcement must abandon silo working and unite harmoniously. Together, we're stronger, and I encourage all stakeholders to openly discuss and explore collaborative opportunities in our shared mission to create a safer retail environment.?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can achieve this, so please share your insights in the comments below. Let's work together to make a positive change in our industry.?
Hi Jason Collaboration between security providers, retailers and the policing authorities is pivotal to the success of any such vision. The government need to step up and listen and support both the security industry and our in-store colleagues. Collecting and sharing intelligence and prioritising prolific offenders and gangs through an align partnership supported by the police, criminal prosecution service and sentencing guidelines are all key Focus on and then deliver the required outcomes having truly understood the impact on all of our retail customer facing colleagues
‘The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing’ The Founder and CEO at My Local Bobby Ltd and the UK’s leading Private Prosecutor and Investigations Company TM Eye Ltd.
1 年Organised criminal gangs and prolific offenders no longer feel that they risk arrest, prosecution or conviction. Police are still under resourced and have priorities that do not include retail crime. From recent discussions with both senior and junior cops that is not going to change despite the media reports. It is also very clear that the criminals are well aware of the non-intervention policies of the major retailers. As a result believe that they can steal at will, with no consequence. These policies need to be urgently reviewed. The policies also raise the potential legal difficulties with prosecutions, whether State based or private criminal prosecutions, as staff and in most cases store security will have to make witness statements and potentially give evidence at court. Do the non-intervention policies extend to giving evidence with all the risks of attendance at Court ? My Local Bobby and TM Eye's Prolific Crimes Team offer an option for retailers. Private prosecutions are a real deterrent. On every Beat that MLB and TM Eye operate there have been significant reductions in retail crime, and violence towards staff. More importantly the shop staff highlight that for the first time they 'feel safe' at work.
Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie
1 年Mike, yep, there are many tech/data collection products available and many businesses doing what MLB does. The issue comes with joining the dots to help drive consequence and secure prosecutions. Displacement is not the answer, we have to deal with the issue or it continues to manifest. Let’s catch up.
Family. Health Public Safety. Charity.
1 年Interesting article Jason. Technology can play a part in assisting collaboration between Police and Retailers. However, the Police just don't have the resources to respond effectively. This is seeing the rise of an interesting trend - private security patrols and responses. Companies like AURA provide automated response in an uber-esque fashion to provide inexpensive 'eyes on the ground' which in turn means the Police can better prioritize and respond. Also, MY LOCAL BOBBY provides proactive patrols, responses and even pursues criminals to prosecution, providing much needed support to Retailers in the London area. We will see a mixture of technology and people collaboration rise to solve this problem, however, the Police need far more support from the public, the press and from politicians. We are losing great people to suicide, retirement and career change because they aren't recognized for the 99% of good things that they do. I've tried to do my best to support and encourage them through my 10K A DAY GUY charity work, Control Room Awards and International Control Room Week events, but they need more than I could ever give. Just my thoughts....